(CNN) – In a unanimous decision Thursday, the Federal Election Commission granted a request from John McCain’s campaign to withdraw from a program that provides presidential candidates with matching funds during the primary season.

The Democratic National Committee filed a complaint with the FEC earlier this year after the McCain campaign announced that it was withdrawing from the primary season matching funds program, in a bid to avoid spending restrictions that would have resulted if they participated. Democrats argued that the McCain camp could not legally opt out after obtaining a $4 million line of credit using the prospect of the public matching funds as collateral, and could not unilaterally withdraw without approval from the FEC, which did not have a voting quorum for much of the year. The party also called for an FEC investigation of McCain’s campaign finances.

The McCain campaign had said that the possibility of receiving public matching funds was not in reality the collateral for the line of credit that kept the Arizona senator’s campaign afloat.

The DNC has not yet said whether they will continue to press for a federal investigation.

soundoff(114 Responses)

McCain owns 7 houses….. he wants the people of this nation to give him Number 8 at tax payer cost!

McCain also is going to use Tax Payer money to convince Tax Payers to put him in his 8th house which is paid for by Tax Payers!

Just say NO to giving McCain an 8th home!

August 21, 2008 04:33 pm at 4:33 pm |

TheTruthHurts

The FEC wants NO part of this. They want to get out of the way. Probably a good idea. Both sides will have plenty of money to get the message out. If they need more money to get the people with their heads in the sand, we're doomed as a country anyway.

August 21, 2008 04:33 pm at 4:33 pm |

Sherry, Atlanta

IS THIS NOT THE SAME THING, THAT MCCAIN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN?

INTERESTING, HOW WE TALK 'OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THE MOUTH'! ! !

August 21, 2008 04:35 pm at 4:35 pm |

KenB, MI

anyone surprised?

August 21, 2008 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |

Andy

hehe... Showtime.

August 21, 2008 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |

Sacto Joe

You can't believe ANYTHING McCain says!

August 21, 2008 04:38 pm at 4:38 pm |

Chris from NY

It doesn't matter what he does. He can even borrow or get a loan. Who cares. He's going down hard.

August 21, 2008 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |

Former Republicans for Obama

Sounds like the straight talk express lied on his credit application!!!! Just like he made up the cross story. Well. I take that back. He didn't make it up, hi stole it from a book he read.

August 21, 2008 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |

S. Boatman

Another Flip After The Flop, . . . With Some Pandering And Lies. . . Just More Of The Same From The Crooked Talk Express!

August 21, 2008 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |

Barbara - NC

I think anything McCain does should be investigated. He's from a long line of crooked politicians in AZ that helped "strong-arm" him into politics (along with Botox Barbie's money from her mafia-related papa). Check it out – google Cindy Hensley family

August 21, 2008 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

Peter of Oregon

Lol... after McCain's tyrade about Obama not receiving government money he's doing this... what a hypocrite, and I'm not surprised. I'm anxious to see the real McCain Revealed... as we progress toward November.

August 21, 2008 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

Barbara - NC

Maybe the National Enquirer will research some of this stuff – CNN can't afford investigative reports.

August 21, 2008 04:45 pm at 4:45 pm |

Abby

While he technically got away with it, this was not in the spirit of honesty and maverick’ity . lol same OLD dishonest politics.

August 21, 2008 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

jj

as usual, Obama and his team look for any underhanded way they can to get elected. Just like he did to get elected to the Senate which he hasn't done since he was elected. When you find a loophole to screw other party members to get ahead, them you'll trash anyone anyway to do it. DO NOT TRUST HIM>

August 21, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

Ex-Republican for Obama

I thought Johnny gave Obama some ridicule for opting out of the funding? What's with the change of heart Johnny? You sure are a man of principals Johnny, NOT!

Just ask your ex-wife and abandoned kids about your moral convictions, I think they will have a better picture of who you really are then anyone.

August 21, 2008 04:49 pm at 4:49 pm |

Griff

DNC? Now what does that stand for? Democratic National Cheat's.
Florida???? Michigan????

August 21, 2008 04:49 pm at 4:49 pm |

NotFallingInLine.org

When you make the rules (McCain), you will be the first to break them.

August 21, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

hillybilly

yes.this should be investigated by the feds.we need to know if mccain's keeping his camp.legal.

August 21, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

linda from South Dakota

i think an investigation on mccain should happen all the way around,,,,, a good way to check and see if all he does and says is legal,,,, since he was still married when he bought a marriage leisence to marry cindy before he was legally divorced from carol,, umm once a liar ,, always a liar,,,, not to say he has a quick temper,, ummmm we dont really need someone like this in politics,,, his smile is sooo fake too,, is there anything real about this person??? ummmm

August 21, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

Allen in Hartwell GA

First of all, this smacks of illegality, but since this is politics maybe that doesn't matter. Secondly and most important, where are the news hounds? When Obama opted out of public funds you'd the GOP made so much fuss you'd have thought Obama had broken all the commandments, instead of just the first ten.

August 21, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

DB

I guess he used one of his 7 houses as collateral.

August 21, 2008 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |

IAMWMD

Another law told.....Another law broken by the Repugs...

August 21, 2008 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |

LYNETTE IN CA

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!! THIS GUY THAT CAN'T REMEMBER HE HAS 4+ HOUSES AND THAT $5,000,000 MIGHT BE CONSIDERED RICH!!!